Christian Cowboy Poetry and more

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

One More Ride

This poem was like one of those unpredictable bulls I see when I watch the PBR. They start in one direction and all of a sudden make a quick lunge, a belly roll and you're looking at the sky. I had the first line in the back of my mind for over a year. I kept looking at it, trying to shoe-horn it into one direction. Then, all of a sudden, another image came charging out of the gate. Several years ago, I used part of this poem to promote a marathon of rodeo-related movies on Encore Westerns. Later, I added the Post Script. Hope you enjoy it.

One More RideHe can throw a rope in a figure eightbut he just can’t seem to stand up straight.What isn’t broke, is bruised or hurtfrom spendin’ time down in the dirtwhile Brahma’s do their victory danceall up his spine and down his pants.But he tapes his broken bones real tightso he can ride tomorrow tonightcause you know way down deep inside,all he wants is one more ride.

He’s a rodeoin’ cowboy. He’s an old bull ridin’ fool.And it’s taught him lots of lessonsthat he never learned in school.Like bein’ tough and bein’ true. Get up when you’re knocked down.And the inner strength to cowboy upwhen no one is around.

Each weekend he is on the gohittin’ every rodeo.He hides his pain with jokes and smilesand after several hundred mileshe parks his truck and pays his feeand wonders who his draw will be.He drinks draft beer and cheap mescaland shoots the bull with all his pals.And each one, way down deep insideis hopin’ they get one more ride.In the morning he drinks coffee black,pulls out his gear and checks his tack.Ace bandages wrap round his jointsand with some Bengay he anointseach aching bone and muscle strainas he prepares for yet more pain.

Cause, he’s a rodeoin’ cowboy. He’s an old bull ridin’ fool.Some say he ornery as a goatand stubborn as a mule.But he’s a rodeoin’ cowboyand way down deep insidehe thinks and dreams of nothing elsebut winning one more ride.

At home, his darlin’ minds the place.There’s chores to do and kids to chase.She works real hard the fear to hidewhen she knows it’s time for his next ride.That evenin’, staring at the phoneshe wonders if he’s comin’ home.Tears well up cause she worries sobut she would never let him know.As a cowboy’s wife you learn to hidethe fear that comes with one more ride.

Cause he’s a rodeoin’ cowboyborn for broncs and bulls and bloodand she knows he won’t be happylest he’s playin' in the mud.Yeah, he’s a rodeoin' cowboyand she’s there by his sideand will be when the strings run outand he’s had his one last ride.

Jeff Hildebrandt copyright 2005

(Post Script)On Sunday’s he’s in Cowboy Churchcause that’s the cowboy way.He knows that Jesus gives him strengthto face each unknown day.He knows what ever happensthe Lord is by his sideso he saddles up with confidencewhen it’s time for his next ride.